Low-expression of lncRNA-ANCR promotes tibial fracture healing via targeting RUNX2

摘要

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of long non-coding ribonucleic acid-anti-differentiation non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA-ANCR) in tibial fracture healing in rabbits by regulating the runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 healthy adult rabbits were evenly divided into Control group (n=20), Fracture group (n=20), and Lnc group (n=20). Then, RUNX2 transfection, Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay and relevant instruments were carried out and used to determine the differences in dry weight, bone mineral density, bone mechanical strength, and RUNX2 expression in tibiae among three groups of rabbits. RESULTS: Comparison of the bone mineral density in rabbit tibiae among the three groups showed that the bone mineral density was significantly lower in Fracture group than that in Control group (p0.05), and it was slightly higher in Lnc group than in Fracture group (p0.05). The dry weight of the full-length tibiae in Fracture group was significantly decreased compared with that in Control group (p0.05), and Lnc group had an increased dry weight of tibiae in comparison with Fracture group (p0.05). The maximum load, flexural strength, elastic stress, elastic strain, elastic modulus, maximum stress, and maximum strain in Fracture group were lower than those in both Control group and Lnc group (p0.05). Compared with those in Fracture group, the amount of new collagen was overtly increased in Lnc group, and that of mature collagen was decreased (p0.05). The relative expression level of RUNX2 in tibial bone tissues was evidently lower in Fracture group than that in Control group (p0.05), and it was markedly higher in Lnc group than that in Fracture group (p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Down-regulating lncRNA-ANCR activates and triggers the expression of RUNX2 that facilitates the growth and metabolism of bone tissues to play an important role in the repair of bone tissues and promote the healing of the tibial fracture.